Church Bulletin Week of December 9, 2007

Second Sunday in Advent

PREPARE THE WAY 
Saint John the Baptist appears on the scene today as Advent enters its second week. The mysterious consumer of locusts and wild honey, John echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah as he calls for repentance in the face of the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. The rhythms of the Christian life are often confounding. Each year we meet the Baptist and hear his calls for repentance. Each year we see him pointing to the one who is coming after him, the Lord Jesus. Yet each year the words and actions of John the Baptist echo anew in our hearts, because we have fallen into old sinful traps again and again. Advent gives us the opportunity once again to turn away from our sinful ways and embrace the gospel way of life. John the Baptist invites us to prepare the way for the Lord, in whom we place our hope. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. 
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The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water cover the sea. —Isaiah 11:9 
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES 
Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent 
Monday: International Human Rights Day 
Tuesday: St. Damasus I 
Wednesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Thursday: St. Lucy 
Friday: St. John of the Cross 
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK 
Monday: Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 
Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 
Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712
Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 
Friday: Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 
Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 
Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11
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 TODAY'S READINGS 
First Reading — He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-10). 
Psalm — Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever (Psalm 72). 
Second Reading — Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:4-9). 
Gospel — Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near (Matthew 3:1- 12).
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ATTENTION PARISHIONERS
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2008 OUR 9:15 SUNDAY MASS WILL BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M. .
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Immaculate Conception Parish presents Lessons and Carols 
Sunday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. 
Please join us in the church for this wonderful seasonal tradition. You will enjoy an inspirational performance by the Adult Choir, Bell Choir and Children's Choir delivering a spiritual and joyful evening of music and song in collaboration with the scripture readings. .
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Our parish community shares the joy and expresses best wishes to the friends and families of  Sarah Shea and Walker Carmack united in marriage on December 8, 2007 Congratulations! May your lives be blessed with an everlasting marriage of love and dreams come true. 
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Thank You The Partnership for Social Services Family Center would like to thank the Immaculate Conception Church and its parishioners for donating turkeys and food baskets along with gift cards to assist families in need for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
We especially would like to thank the Immaculate Conception students, faculty and families who donated food items and their time to make thanksgiving special for others. Sister Thomasina Gebhard and Staff. 
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Weekly Offering
Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world. 
Thank you for your support and generosity for last week's collection. 
Last Sunday's Collection: $4,329.00. 
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FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 
On December 9, 1511 (10 years after the Spanish conquest), Mary appeared to a native Aztec named Juan Diego along a country trail near present-day Mexico City. The striking thing was that Mary's features and clothing were Aztec, and she spoke to him in that language.
Mary instructed Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site to replace a pagan shrine. Juan's efforts to convince the bishop failed.
Finally, in her third appearance to Juan, Mary told him to take nearby roses (unusual at that time of year) as a sign. Juan put some in his cloak. When he came to the bishop and unfolded the cloak, imprinted on it was the painting of Mary that has since become famous. 
Juan Diego's cloak now hangs in the huge church of Our Lady of Guadalupe built on that site. After nearly 500 years, the picture on the cloak shows no sign of deterioration, and artists have been unable to duplicate the combination of materials used in the paint. .
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The Giving Tree !
The giving tree on the altar offers our parishioners an opportunity to share the joy of Christmas through gift-giving to needy adults and children. We invite you to take an ornament from the tree. Tape the ornament on top of your wrapped donated gift and place it under the giving tree. 
All gift donations need to be returned to the church by next Sunday, December 16 in order to have them distributed in time for Christmas.
Thank you and God bless you for your continuous support to this wonderful program.
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Immaculate Conception Regional School announces PANCAKE SUNDAY
Sunday, December 16th 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Lyceum after each Mass—$5 per person.
This fund raiser is hosted by the students of I.C.R.S. Your support to this and future endeavors in their aspirations to purchase lockers for the school is very much appreciated.
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Advent
Prepare the Way of the Lord Reconciliation Services Saturday, Dec. 15 from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 Communal Service 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
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MINISTRY TO THE HOMEBOUND 
If you are unable to come to Church or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Communion, please contact Janice at the rectory and convenient arrangements will be made to visit the home.
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Looking for the Perfect Gift  that will last a lifetime?
Give the gift of Marriage Encounter Weekend. For more information call Ralph and Eileen Perez at 1- 800-499-6552.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program—LIHEAP LIHEAP provides grants to eligible households that pay for home heat directly or have it included in rent.
Application period is from November 1 through March 31, eligible Food Stamp households are automatically enrolled. Universal Service Fund—Applicants for LIHEAP are automatically screened for this program. Households that spend more than 3% of gross income on natural gas or electric are eligible to qualify. Call 1-888-454-4778.
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New Orleans Father Carroll from Highlands Lakes plans to go to New Orleans to work on houses. He seeks volunteers 18 years and older to accompany him. The dates are December 26 through 31, 2007. Please contact him at 973-764-4457 or email: olfatima@warwick.net.
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Position available for Licensed Clinical Therapist/Social Worker 
Catholic Charities' Partnership for Social Services Family Center has an opening for a part time or full time therapist at its Franklin office. Benefits package available. Candidates must have a Masters degree in Social Work or related field and have or be licensed or be eligible to be licensed in New Jersey as a Clinical Therapist.
Interested persons can fax resume to 973-827-0699 or call 973-827-4702. . 
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The Irish American Assn. of NW Jersey offers Irish Language classes on Monday evenings. For info call 862-266-3563 
Traditional Celtic Art classes 
For info email pgallagher45@optonline.net 
Frequent traditional Irish music concerts and sessions.
Check the website for dates: iaanj.com . 
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Prayer Shawl Ministry 
Prayer Shawl Ministry Meetings are held in the Ministry House once a month.
THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING IS CANCELED FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. Continue your knitting! Items can be dropped off at the rectory at any time remember to put your name with it. New members are always welcome to join our ministry. No knitting/ crochet experience necessary. Come enjoy knitting and praying together as we create mantles of caring for the person who will receive the shawl.
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Grief Support Group
On the first Wednesday of each month Immaculate Conception Parish offers an ongoing Grief Support Group. If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us for the next meeting this Wednesday, Jan. 2nd from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House. 
“Communicate. Appreciate. Validate” J. Edward
It is a good message. Take time for the people who are still with us. What greater gift can we give to our loved ones who have died than to even more deeply value those who are living.
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Help reduce poverty in the United States
“Poverty Around Us”
It's a fact of life that people with health insurance have a better chance to be healthy. The number of Children in New Jersey without Health insurance rose by 37% between 2000 and 2005 while the national rate dropped by 9%. To learn more about poverty visit
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CHRISTMAS TREE SALE AT THE SCHOOL
SAT. DEC. 8 12:00 - 8:00 PM 
SUN. DEC. 9 7:45 AM - 2:00 PM 
FRI. DEC. 14 4:00 - 8:00 PM 
SAT. DEC. 15 12:00 - 8:00 PM 
SUN. DEC. 16 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
MON. DEC. 17—THUR. DEC. 20 4:00 PM - CLOSE 
PRICES ARE: 5 - 6 FT $38, 6 - 8 FT $45, 8 - 10 FT $50, 10 FT $85
TREE BAGS, LIGHTS AND TREE STANDS TOO! 
JOIN US FOR CAROLING, HOT CHOCOLATE AND COOKIES WHILE YOU PICK OUT YOUR TREE! 
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER . 
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Advent Wreath Lighting
During the Advent Season, we are asking for families or individuals to participate in the Advent Wreath Lighting for all the Masses during the Advent Season. Participants would carry in the Advent candle and light it for the particular Mass that they signed up for and would also bring up the gifts of Bread and Wine.
Please click here, print the page, complete it and give it to Father Bogey or drop it in the collection basket.
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill: 
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, Anna Elekes, Betty Swetz, and Frank Kalafut. 
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody and Lisa Stine. .  
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Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho and CPL Matt Lindquist.
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MARCH FOR LIFE—WASHINGTON DC—1/22/08 
Sussex County Right to Life busses will be sponsoring buses to The March for Life in Washington DC on January 22, 2008. The buses will leave from Our Lady of the Lake church in Sparta at 6:00 a.m. and leave Washington DC at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35.00 per person. Payment must be received no later than January 15, 2008 to reserve your seat. Sussex County Right to Life, P.O. Box 141, Augusta, N.J. 07822, 973-948-5989. 
For those who cannot make the trip to Washington for the March for Life, a prolife rally is being held at the State House in Trenton. If you are interested in going please call the Sussex County Right to Life at 973-948-5989.
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Christmas Flower Memorials Remember a loved one in a special way with Christmas Flowers and by including their name in our parish memorial listing in the Christmas bulletin. Return your Flower Offering Envelope to the rectory in time to have your loved one included in the bulletin. PLEASE PRINT THE NAMES. Thank you .  
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Retirement Fund for Religious - Share in the Care 
The second collection this week benefits elderly women and men religious. The average Catholic sister, brother or order priest remains in active ministry until age 74. Today, 37,870 women and men religious are past age 70 and need help with current high cost of living and health care.
Learn more about this appeal at www.retiredreligious.org. God bless you for your support.
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Our 2008 Catholic Calendars are now available for families to take home calendars are in the basket on the altar in front of the lectern. . 
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VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS
If you sit with silence, even risk befriending it, and wait, then there is the real possibility that from the silence will arise a faint voice as if from some primeval conversation, like a shoot that sprouts from aged growth that's long been cut and leveled to a stump.
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INSIDE THE READINGS Advent is not primarily a penitential season, but it is a time for reflection and preparation. Today's readings provide material for reflection on the love of God and the encouragement to respond to that love by preparation. The prophet Isaiah portrays the ideal king to be sent into the world by God for our salvation (Isaiah 11:1-10).
John the Baptist tells his contemporaries and all Christians, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2). These words of the Baptist are especially significant since Jesus will begin his public ministry with exactly the same words (Matthew 4:17). 
Isaiah describes the royal Messiah as coming into the world with the blessings of God's spirit: "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, / a spirit of counsel and of strength, / a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, / and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2 -3).
The Greek translation of the Old Testament and the Latin Vulgate substitute "piety" for the first "fear of the Lord," giving the basis then for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This Son of David will bring justice and faithfulness (11:5) and will attract the Gentiles to his kingdom (11:10). 
The Greek word behind "repent' is metanoia, which means literally a "change of mind." But in the context of Jesus and John the Baptist it calls for a life totally centered on God rather than on oneself or any other created reality. The Baptist insists that this reformation of life must affect one's daily activities: "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance" (Matthew 3:8). The Church during Advent reflects on the importance of the birth of the Son of David, as did Isaiah. All Christians would do well also to prepare by responding to the demand of the Baptist, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (3:2). 
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION For each of us there are the shoots in our lives out of which God's wisdom blossoms. They are buds from which God's Spirit calls us into holiness. So it's good to pay attention to the voice we hear in the silence. It may set us apart, but it may also be the place where we become saints.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the second Sunday of Advent commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, 8 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 12/9/07.
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